Caroline’s Rainbow – When Cancer Comes Calling

There are certain words no parent ever dreams will be in their vocabulary let alone will be uttered about their own child, yet 3 weeks ago my vocabulary was given a massive, unwanted and irreversible upgrade and it started with the four simple words; my child has cancer.

After two months of haggling with doctors to get pain relief for Caroline, for what we were told was an ear infection and swollen gland, I finally battled on the phone for almost 12 minutes to get a 5th appointment to have her examined again by a GP because alternating Calpol and Calprofen had not dented the pain she was suffering. This was February 27th.

We were referred to Cramlington hospital later that day for blood tests for possible mumps or glandular fever. It feels as though we’ve never left.

Childhood Cancer Diagnosis

The swollen gland is in fact the external protrusion of a large cancerous tumour in Caroline’s head though thankfully not in her brain nor spread to anywhere else in her body.

We were kept in overnight and in 60 hours Caroline endured blood tests, an ultrasound scan, insertion of a cannula, an MRI with dye, a CT scan, chest X-ray and a biopsy through the soft palate of her mouth.

Sent home for 4 days, we were called back early when the results revealed parameningealembryonalRhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue tumour,

Caroline underwent further bone scans, a lumbar puncture, bone tissue and marrow checks, had a central line inserted into her chest where it remains for the 9 months of treatment. Chemotherapy started, unbelievably, 2 days later. Last night almost all her hair fell out.

It was taken as we returned to the hospital from a walk in the nearby park, two devastated parents trying to get a handle on our upside down world while our fragile, unique, our ONLY child was being operated on.

Caroline’s Cancer Rainbow

At the bottom of that rainbow, at that exact time, Caroline lay in theatre having a biopsy under general anaesthetic, with an uncertain future. I like to believe that Caroline’s rainbow was dropping into the very operating theatre in which she was having surgery…

At the other end of the rainbow, the pot of gold we are striving for, is Caroline’s new life, a life that, please God, will be cancer-free and enriched and strengthened by what she must endure in the coming months. Every rainbow we now see is a gift of hope and faith that Caroline will somehow pull through, like God’s rainbow covenant in Genesis.

No child should have to suffer this and no parent should have to witness it but we are given in life only what we can cope with so we will battle at her side every step of her journey back to health.

Heartfelt thanks to everyone who is praying for Caroline and holding her in their hearts and for the staggering support from friends and family over the past 3 weeks. Words cannot express how invaluable your love, support, prayers, positive vibes and uplifting thoughts are to all of us.

We are still processing the full impact of this cancer diagnosis on all of our lives, including the lives of family and friends who are equally as shocked and devastated.

It seems impossible that in such a short time my vivacious, life-loving, inspirational little wild child has been brought to her knees by the very drugs which will cure this disease but she is one incredibly strong wild warrior and will be back to her old ways as soon as ever she can.

I’m not sure what path Kids of the Wild will take as there are obviously far greater priorities now. The hiatus in my blogging may continue or the blog may become an outlet for the trauma of it all. It might even provide room for writing about getting into nature and the wild despite a cancer diagnosis.

In the meantime thank you for reading, and any prayers or positivity you can offer for Caroline are very much appreciated.

Reach Out for Support

If your child has been diagnosed with cancer, or anyone you know has been affected and is looking for support, help or information, PLEASE don’t hesitate to reach out and get in touch with me – you can use the contact form on the website or message me via Facebook at Kids of the Wild and I will respond personally.

Published by Kids of the Wild

Lucy has a lifelong passion for nature & the transforming benefits of getting outside, especially since her daughter's cancer diagnosis in 2017. She loves walking, travelling & exploring with her family, dog & camper van. She helped rescue 28 swans & set up a Forest School in 2002 & cries every time she sees a whale in the wild! Lucy aims to inspire families to connect with nature & love the great outdoors
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56 thoughts on “Caroline’s Rainbow – When Cancer Comes Calling”

All the love and prayers in the world coming your way. This is such an articulate and heart felt post at a time when your world has been turned upside down. Keep that image of your little carefree wild one jumping in the sea, I’m already looking forward to the matching photo further down the line, however painful the journey to get there. Thinking of you so much

Sending so much love to you guys…still can’t believe you are going through this…but I know how much strength and love and hope and determination you all have. You *will* get through this, I know it. Keep on holding on. We love you. Give Caroline some (gentle) cuddles from B&T&me xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

That’s good – have the doctors been positive? Just focus on that light at the end of the tunnel, and be strong for each other. Easier said than done, I know… it’s a journey that I can’t even imagine, but if she’s strong minded and a fighter then she’s probably got at least some of that from you.

I think she’s got a little of her wild Mummy in there, that’s for sure! Docs are very positive despite the location and size of the tumour and it’s likely we’ll be having the top proton radiotherapy in the States too. All bewildering and scary for us as well as Caroliney but worth it if it kicks the cancer. XX

I have just found you through Countrykids and I am so very very sorry to read this. One of my best friend’s little girl has just had the same diagnosis. It is absolutely devastating. Please keep searching for that pot of gold under the beautiful rainbow and I am sending all the love, thoughts and get well wishes over to your beautiful wild child. Stay strong , lots of love xx

Oh my goodness, I cannot believe what I am reading – I have every ounce of my body hoping and praying for Caroline. I hope that you do get the positive outcome that you are looking for. With as little pain for her on the journey as possible. Sending love and hugs and prayers, from one Mumma to another.
Sonia x

Such a gorgeous girl and she truly looks like a warrior! We have been on a cancer journey but thankfully our then 11 month old’s tumour was benign. Experiencing our child’s illness made us think again about life. Living in hospital is living in a surreal bubble. As long as you are together with a family you can fight anything. Sending you our love and massive wishes for a swift recovery xx

I only found out today on #CountryKids. What shocking news. Caroline and you Lucy will be in my thoughts even though I don’t know you. Sending positive vibes across the Irish Sea. Lots of love xx
Annette

Hi George’s Mum here. I was so sad to read this last night and I hesitated about what to write – you were my first thought this morning and I can’t really think of anything to say only that we’ve never met your lovely daughter, but I hope her ‘wild spirit ‘ pulls her through this tough time and she’s soon back dancing on the beach Ali x

Thanks Ali, lovely to hear from you. It’s been a shocking time but she’s sleeping off chemo 2 as I type and the docs are extremely pleased with her progress which is amazing news. I’ve been thinking about George’s post and would still like to do it. I will email you at some point regarding photos. XX

Lucy I had the pleasure of seeing your parents last week as they arrived for a day in Guernsey. They told me your news and directed me to this website – which I had, coincidentally chanced upon before as I have two wild little warriors too. All I can say is that I am so desperately sorry to hear of Caroline’s diagnosis and wish you all (and what a wonderful family you have) all the strength in the world to get through this. I look forward to hearing that the American intervention kicks this horrible tumour into touch and that you are able to resume your wonderful, wild, healthy way of life as soon as soon as humanly possible. When Caroline is better we would love to welcome you to some wild adventures in the English Channel with us. Meanwhile thinking of you and wishing you all the very best xxxx

Thanks Marianne, great to hear from you and glad the Aged P’s behaved themselves! They loved your guided tour with you. Thank you for your support and contact, it’s so invaluable to us right now, and it would be lovely to meet your wild warriors in the Channel Islands when treatment is finished – I’m trying to work out how old we were when we last met up?! Much love xx

Hi guys!
Izzy and I are with you every step of the way and with all your strength and positivity, all will be fine. Keep that in mind when you have a wobble and don’t be afraid to cry. From experience, it helps! Be strong, as you are, and you will see Caroline come back stronger than ever. all our love to you all,
Katie and Izzy xxxx

Welcome to Kids of the Wild and my prayers are with your son and your family. I don’t pretend to know what you are going through as everyone’s cancer journey is different but all I will advise is to reach out when you need it, to those around you; family, friends even blogging strangers if it helps. A couple of words might be all you need to get through a dark day or a difficult night and the chain of love and support that cancer creates is invaluable on the low days. Strength and love to you and your boy. Feel free to contact me through the blog contact page with anything at all xx